Master-container-filling machine

ABSTRACT

A machine for filling a master container with a plurality of packages by automatically moving the packages individually from a conveyor to a receiver-pusher device adjacent the conveyor, said device successively receiving, dropping and pushing a package onto an accumulator platform on which a predetermined number of packages are accumulated and from which the accumulated group is moved by a cross ram into a cylinder at one side of the platform, and after accumulation of another predetermined number of packages that group is moved by the same cross ram into a cylinder at the opposite side of the platform. The groups of packages are moved alternately from the cylinders by a plunger into a master container clamped on the discharge end of each cylinder.

United States Patent 3,513,623 5/1970 Pearson.,......................53/159 X Primary ExaminerTheron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-E. F.Desmond [72] Inventor L. D. Adcox 620 S. Adams St., Monte Vista, C010.81 144 r es r. G c. M a h t r e mm r w n l 7 9 l 4 3 M J 1 8D. 2 8M& 0.d N. m wmm AHP "MM 224 ABSTRACT: A machine for filling a mastercontainer with a [54] MASTER-CONTAlNER-FILLING MACHINE 1 plurality ofpackages by automatically moving the packages individually from aconveyor to a receiver-pusher device ad- 18 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

53/615 jacent the conveyor, said device successively receiving,53/159,53/258 dropping and pushing a package onto an accumulatorplatform on which a predetermined number of packages are accu- B65b35/40, B65b 39/10 mulated and from which the accumulated group is movedby a cross ram into a cylinder at one side of the platform, and afteraccumulation of another predetermined number of packages that group ismoved by the same cross ram into a cylinder at References Clted UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,046,712 7/1962 the opposite side of the platform. Thegroups of packages are moved alternately from the cylinders by a plungerinto a master container clamped on the discharge end of each cylinder.

11 I 8 7 0 3 e3 6 a 11 11111 41 .I11 &l. Alu- I hlnhml1 n .n w I z\ 1 umw 2 2 2 w n f a 1.1-11.1.1 11111 111 7 11 3 1 1 1 t w M. LQ :2 4 IllWfhwsn: 1 a. l 311111. 1111 7 0 w w 3% 6 A 4 MASTER-CONTAINER-FILLINGMACHINE This invention relates to a machine for filling a mastercontainer with a plurality of previously filled sacks of potatoes orother produce or material herein referred to as packages.

Conventional master containers for this purpose are made of heavy paper,designed to contain 50 pounds, which may be five I-pound packages or I0-pound packages, or packages of different weights.

The main object of the invention is to provide a compactefficientmachine for its intended purpose, capable of speedy, dependableoperation, and occupying minimum floor space. The machine may be movedeasily into package receiving positions relatively to conveyors locatedin different areas of a plant, without disassembling or alteration ofmachine parts.

One of the novel features of the machine is a receiverpusher device inthe form of a box preferably rectangular in cross section having a topadapted to receive a package from a conveyor, and a vertical front wallwhich serves to push a package onto an accumulator platform after thepackage has been dropped from the receiver-pusher device byreciprocatory movement of the device. The receiver-pusher device isautomatically moved rearwardly, in a direction at right angles to thetravel of the conveyor, into a stationary open front housing which has avertical upwardly extending wall designed to contact the package on thereceiver-pusher device when said device is moved rearwardly, causing thepackage to fall onto an intake shelf on the same level as theaccumulator platform, to be contacted by the receiver-pusher device asit automatically moves forwardly out of the stationary housing.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a pair ofcylinders, one at each longitudinal side of the accumulator platform,and a cross ram movable transversely across the accumulator toalternately move a plurality of packages in one direction into the openside of one cylinder and to move another group of packages in theopposite direction into the open side of the other cylinder.

The invention also includes means for clamping a master container on thedischarge end of each cylinder and means for automatically pushing thepackages by a plunger into the master containers.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a master-container-filling machineembodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view in the plane of the line22' of FIG. 1, showing one package on the input conveyor, anotherpackage which has been dropped onto the intake shelf adjacent theaccumulator from the retracted receiver-pusher device; five packages onthe accumulator platform, and five packages being moved from one of thecylinders into a master container.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view in the plane of the line 3 3 of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view in the plane of the line44 of FIG. 1, showing'the discharge ends of the cylinders and forwardend of the accumulator platform.

FIG.'5 is a top-plan view similar to FIG. 1, showing one package on theinput conveyor, another package resting on the unretractedreceiver-pusher device, five packages on the accumulator, and fivepackages which have been moved form the accumulator into one of thecylinders for discharge to a master container.

' comprises a frame on which are mounted a horizontally disposedaccumulator platform 11, cylinders 12, 13, and

inclined master-container-supporting members 14, 15. An input conveyor16 in the form of an endless belt carries filled sacks, herein referredto as packages, from a supply source (not shown), to a receiver-pusherdevice 17, as shown in FIG. 5. The device 17 has the form of a'box withclosed top and sides, slidable on a horizontaLintakc shelf 18 intoretracted position within a stationary housing I9 located adjacent andrearwardly of the intake shelf and receiver-pusher device I7. The top ofthe device 17 is me horizontal plane slightly below the top of theconveyor I6. The intake shelf 18 is adjacent to and on the same level asthe accumulator platform 11 and may be a part of the accumulator.

In FIG. 5, a package 20 is carried on the conveyor 16 and anotherpackage 21 has been. moved by the conveyor to rest on top of thereceiver-pusher device 17. In FIG. I, a package 20 on the conveyor 16 ismoving toward the receiver-pusher device 17 which is shown in itsretracted position withinthe housing 19. The retracting movement of thedevice 17 as it slides rearwardly on the intake shelf 18 into thehousing 19 has caused the package 21 to be pushed off the top ofthedevice 17 by the vertical upwardly extending portion 19' of thehousing and to fall onto the intake shelf 18 as shown in FIG. 1. Theforward or return movement of the receiver-pusher17 out of the housing19 pushes the droppedpackage 21 from the intake shelf 18 onto theaccumulator platform 11, five of such packages being indicated at 22; inFIGS. 1 and 5. That same forward pushing movement of the device 17places it in position for receiving the package 20 from the conveyor.The receiverpusher device 17 is moved back and forth by anair cylinder(not shown) having a piston rod connected to the device 17.

The cylinders 12 and 13 arealike, horizontally supported at oppositesides of the accumulator platform, each comprising a stationary lowershell 25 to which is hingedly connected an upper shell 26, pivotallymovable about the hinges 27 as, best shown in FIG. 4, where the uppershell 26 of the cylinder 13 is in open position and the upper. shell 26of the cylinder 12 is closed. Both cylinders open at the side toward theaccumulator platform 11. The opening and closing of the cylinders isperformed by the air cylinders'28, pistons rods29, and arms 30 pivotallyconnected to the rods 29. The arms30are rigidly connected to the uppershells 26 of the cylinders 12, 13.

The cylinder lower shell 25.and upper cover shell26 are shaped toenclose a predetermined number of previously filled packages which maybe arranged in a single row or in two superposed rows. For example, fiveIOPpound packages 23 may lie side by side on the lowershell 25,longitudinally of the cylinder, in a single row as shown in FIG. 4, or10 5-pound packages 24 may be arranged in two rows of five each, onelying on the shell 25 and the-other on top of the-first row, as shown inFIG. 7. The contour of the cylinders I2, I3, has been designed toenclose the aforementioned packages and also'to conform to thedimensions of the master container 3l,which has an open end 32surrounding the forward or discharge end of the cylinder I2, 13, toreceive. the packages in the cylinder.

The master container 31 is held in place onthe discharge end of thecylinder l2, 13, by clamp 33 fastened to an arm 34, pivotally connectedto the piston rod 35 of an air cylinder 36. The clamp 33 serves tospreadthe container end 32 andhold it on the cylinder, and is aided by abottom clamp 37 actuated by an air cylinder 38. The clamp 37 movesupwardly-into clamping position through an opening in the mastercontainer supporting members 14, IS.

A cross ram 40 extendslongitudinally of: the accumulator platform 11 andis movable transversely acrossthe platform from left to right, as shownin FIG. 1 and fromright to left as .shown in FIG. 5. The cross ram 40 isactuated by a piston rod 41 connected to the ram andv reciprocated bythe air cylinder 42. Telescoping mounting. means 43 are connected at 44to the ram 40.

Packages 22 are pushed fromv the accumulator platform 11 alternatelyinto cylinders l2-and l3..ln-the cylinders the packages are designated23. They. are pushedthrough-the cylinders in longitudinal direction by aplunger 45 into the master container 31, the plunger 45 being actuatedby a plunger rod 46 reciprocable by air cylinder 47.

Electrical control means 50, 51, are actuated by contact with the ram 40at the limits of its transverse movements across the accumulatorplatform. Controls for the plunger 45 are provided at 52 and 53. The arm54 which depends from the plunger rod 46 actuates the controls 52, 53,as the arm 54 slides back and forth on the rod 55.

The supports 14, for the master containers 31 are actuated to move themfrom a slightly downwardly inclined position to a discharging positionby air cylinders 60, piston rods 61 connected to the support 14 or 15,and to support 62. The filled master containers may be moved by anyconventional means (not shown) to a sewing machine for closing of thecontainers.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Individual packages areplaced on the continuously moving conveyor 16 and are deposited by theconveyor on the slightly lower top of the receiver-pusher device 17located on the intake shelf 18 adjacent to and aligned with the conveyor16. In that position the package has been designated 21. Thereceiver-pusher device 17 automatically moves rearwardly by sliding intothe open side of the housing 19, located adjacent to and rearwardly ofthe intake shelf 18, causing the vertical upwardly extending wall 19' toengage the package 21 and cause it to fall onto the intake shelf 18.Automatic return of the device 17 pushes the package 21 onto theaccumulator platform 11, and places the device 17 in position to receivea package 20 from the conveyor. Repetition of the reciprocatory movementof the receiver-pusher device 17, receiving a package 20, dropping it tothe shelf 18 and pushing it to the accumulator 11, causes apredetermined number of packages 22 to be accumulated on the platform11. A conventional counter-control (not shown) activates the ram 40 tomove the accumulated packages 22 transversely of the platform into oneof the cylinders 12, 13, dropping them into the lower shell while thecover 26 is in the open position. The movement of packages 20 and 21continues so that another group of packages 22 is accumulated on theplatform 11 while the pusher 45 pushes packages 23, as a group, throughthe cylinder. At that time the ram 40 makes a return movement across theplatform 11 in the opposite direction to move accumulated packages 22into the 23 positions in the other cylinder. Simultaneously, the firstcylinder has been emptied by the plunger 45 forcing the packages 23 intoa master container which has been clamped into receiving position on thedischarge end to the cylinder 12 or 13.

It will be understood that when packages are to be placed in thecylinders in superposed rows, as are the packages 24 of PK]. 7, thepackages of the lower row are first pushed by the ram 40 into one of thecylinders 12 or 13, the next group of packages on the accumulator 11 ispushed by the ram 40 to form a bottom row in the other of the twocylinders, the next group of packages is pushed by the ram into thefirst cylinder to lie on top of the previously placed bottom row, and afollowing group of packages is pushed in the opposite direction into thesecond cylinder to lie on top of the previously placed bottom row.

I claim:

I. A machine for filling a master container with a plurality ofpackages, comprising a. an accumulator platform,

b. a receiver-pusher device adjacent one end of the platform,

c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform in oppositedirections,

(1. a package receiving cylinder located adjacent each side of theplatform,

e. a plunger movable longitudinally in each cylinder in oppositedirections, and

f. mechanism automatically actuating the receiver-pusher device, ram andplungers,

whereby packages are individually successively received and dropped bythe receiver-pusher device and are pushed thereby on the accumulatorplatform on which a predetermined number of packages are accumulated andfrom which the accumulated group is moved by the ram into one of thecylinders and another accumulated group is moved by the ram into theother cylinder, and alternately moved by the plungers from the cylindersinto master containers.

2. A master container filling machine for moving previously filledpackages from a conveyor into a master container, comprising i a. anaccumulator platform on which a predetermined number of packages areautomatically accumulated in a row,

b. a receiver-pusher device adjacent one end of the accumulator platformhaving a top to receive a package thereon from a conveyor,

c. means reciprocating the receiver-pusher device,

d. a package-contacting member adjacent the receiverpusher device whichcontacts a package on the receiverpusher and causes the package to dropwhen the receiverpusher is moved in one direction,

e. a side surface on the receiver-pusher which pushes the droppedpackage on the accumulator platform when the receiver-pusher is moved inthe opposite direction,

f. a package-receiving cylinder located at each side of the accumulatorplatform in position to receive a row of packages from the platform,

g. a cross ram movable transversely across the platform in one directionto move a row of packages into one cylinder and in the oppositedirection to move a row of packages into the other cylinder, and w h. aplunger movable through each cylinder to force a row of packages formthe cylinder into a master container on the discharge end of thecylinder.

3. The machine defined by claim 2, in which the receiverpusher devicetop is slightly below the plane of an adjacent input conveyor, and thebottom of the receiver-pusher is on the same plane as the accumulatorplatform.

4. The machine defined by claim 2, in which the packagecontacting memberwhich contacts a package on the receiverpusher and causes the package todrop is an open sided housing into which the receiver-pusher is moved,said housing having an upwardly extending member above the open side forcontacting the package on the receiver-pusher and causing it to dropwhen the receiver-pusher is retracted into the housing.

5. The machine defined by claim 2, in which the packagereceivingcylinders each comprise a receiving lower shell and an upper coverhingedly connected to the lower shell and pivotally movable to providean open side in the cylinder adjacent the accumulator platform.

6. The machine defined by claim 5, in which the lower shell of eachcylinder has an edge adjacent the platform in a plane below the plane ofthe platform.

7. The machine defined by claim 2, in which the cross ram is avertically disposed plate extending longitudinally of the accumulatorplatform and having a lower edge slidable over said platform.

8. The machine defined by claim 2, which includes air cylinders andpistons operatively connected with the receiverpusher device, the ramand the cylinder plungers, and means for automatically actuating each ofsaid elements in timed relationship.

9. The machine defined by claim 2, in which the packagereceivingcylinders each comprise a lower shell and an upper cover longitudinallyand hingedly connected, cover actuating means to open and close thecylinder, and clamp means on the cover for holding a master container onthe discharge end of the cylinder when the cover is closed.

10. The machine defined by claim 9 which includes clamp means beneaththe cylinder for engaging the master container.

11. A machine for filling a master container with a plurality ofpackages, comprising a. an accumulator platform,

b. package-depositing means adjacent the platform for moving packagesonto the platform,

a cross ram movable across the top of the platform in oppositedirections,

d. a package-receiving cylinder located adjacent each side of theplatform,

. means causing movement of packages from each cylinder into a mastercontainer, and

f. mechanism automatically actuating the package-depositing means, ramand means causing movement of packages from each cylinder into a mastercylinder, whereby a predetermined number of packages is accumulated onthe platform from which an accumulated group is moved by the ram intoone of the cylinders and another accumulated group is moved by the raminto the other cylinder, and alternately moved from the cylinders intomaster containers.

12. The machine defined by claim 11, in which the cross ram is avertically disposed plate extending longitudinally of the accumulatorplatform and has a lower edge slidable over said platform.

13. The machine defined by claim 11, which includes air cylinders andpistons operatively connected with the package depositing means, thecross ram, and the means causing movement of packages from each cylinderinto a master container, and means for automatically actuating each ofsaid elements in timed relationship.

14. The machine defined by claim 11, in which the packagereceivingcylinders each comprise a lower shell and an upper cover longitudinallyand hingedly connected, cover-actuating means to open and close thecylinder, and clamp means on the cover for holding a master on thedischarge end of the cylinder when the cover is closed.

15. A machine for filling a master container with a plurality ofpackages, comprising a. an accumulator platform,

b. package-depositing means adjacent the platform for moving packagesonto the platform,

c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform in oppositedirections,

d. a package-receiving cylinder located adjacent a side of the platform,

e. means causing movement of packages from the cylinder into a mastercontainer, and

f. mechanism automatically actuating the package-deposit ing means, ramand means causing movement of packages from the cylinder into a mastercontainer, whereby a predetermined number of packages is accumulated onthe platform from which an accumulated group is moved by the ram intothe cylinder and moved from the cylinder into a master container.

16. The machine defined by claim 15, in which the cross ram is avertically disposed plate extending longitudinally of the accumulatorplatform and has a lower edge slidable over the platform.

17. The machine defined by claim 15, which includes air cylinders andpistons operatively connected with the packagedepositing means, thecross ram, and the means causing movement of packages from the cylinderinto a master container, and means for automatically actuating each ofsaid elements in timedrelationship.

18. The machine defined by claim 15, in which the packagereceivingcylinder comprises a lower shell and an upper cover

1. A machine for filling a master container with a plurality ofpackages, comprising a. an accumulator platform, b. a receiver-pusherdevice adjacent one end of the platform, c. a cross ram movable acrossthe top of the platform in opposite directions, d. a package receivingcylinder located adjacent each side of the platform, e. a plungermovable longitudinally in each cylinder in opposite directions, and f.mechanism automatically actuating the receiver-pusher device, ram andplungers, whereby packages are individually successively received anddropped by the receiver-pusher device and are pushed thereby on theaccumulator platform on which a predetermined number of packages areaccumulated and from which the accumulated group is moved by the raminto one of the cylinders and another accumulated group is moved by theram into the other cylinder, and alternately moved by the plungers fromthe cylinders into master containers.
 2. A master container fillingmachine for moving previously filled packages from a conveyor into amaster container, comprising a. an accumulator platform on which apredetermined number of packages are automatically accumulated in a row,b. a receiver-pusher device adjacent one end of the accumulator platformhaving a top to receive a package thereon from a conveyor, c. meansreciprocating the receiver-pusher device, d. a package-contacting memberadjacent the receiver-pusher device which contacts a package on thereceiver-pusher and causes the package to drop when the receiver-pusheris moved in one direction, e. a side surface on the receiver-pusherwhich pushes the dropped package on the accumulator platform when thereceiver-pusher is moved in the opposite direction, f. apackage-receiving cylinder located at each side of the accumulatorplatform in position to receive a row of packages from the platform, g.a cross ram movable transversely across the platform in one direction tomove a row of packages into one cylinder and in the opposite directionto move a row of packages into the other cylinder, and h. a plungermovable through each cylinder to force a row of packages form thecylinder into a master container on the discharge end of the cylinder.3. The machine defined by claim 2, in which the receiver-pusher devicetop is slightly below the plane of an adjacent input conveyor, and thebottom of the receiver-pusher is on the same plane as the accumulatorplatform.
 4. The machine defined by claim 2, in which thepackage-contacting member which contacts a package on thereceiver-pusher and causes the package to drop is an open sided housinginto which the receiver-pusher is moved, said housing having an upwardlyextending member above the open side for contacting the package on thereceiver-pusher and causing it to drop when the receiver-pusher isretracted into the housing.
 5. The machine defined by claim 2, in whichthe package-receiving cylinders each comprise a receiving lower shelland an upper cover hingedly connected to the lower shell and pivotallymovable to provide aN open side in the cylinder adjacent the accumulatorplatform.
 6. The machine defined by claim 5, in which the lower shell ofeach cylinder has an edge adjacent the platform in a plane below theplane of the platform.
 7. The machine defined by claim 2, in which thecross ram is a vertically disposed plate extending longitudinally of theaccumulator platform and having a lower edge slidable over saidplatform.
 8. The machine defined by claim 2, which includes aircylinders and pistons operatively connected with the receiver-pusherdevice, the ram and the cylinder plungers, and means for automaticallyactuating each of said elements in timed relationship.
 9. The machinedefined by claim 2, in which the package-receiving cylinders eachcomprise a lower shell and an upper cover longitudinally and hingedlyconnected, cover actuating means to open and close the cylinder, andclamp means on the cover for holding a master container on the dischargeend of the cylinder when the cover is closed.
 10. The machine defined byclaim 9 which includes clamp means beneath the cylinder for engaging themaster container.
 11. A machine for filling a master container with aplurality of packages, comprising a. an accumulator platform, b.package-depositing means adjacent the platform for moving packages ontothe platform, c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform inopposite directions, d. a package-receiving cylinder located adjacenteach side of the platform, e. means causing movement of packages fromeach cylinder into a master container, and f. mechanism automaticallyactuating the package-depositing means, ram and means causing movementof packages from each cylinder into a master cylinder, whereby apredetermined number of packages is accumulated on the platform fromwhich an accumulated group is moved by the ram into one of the cylindersand another accumulated group is moved by the ram into the othercylinder, and alternately moved from the cylinders into mastercontainers.
 12. The machine defined by claim 11, in which the cross ramis a vertically disposed plate extending longitudinally of theaccumulator platform and has a lower edge slidable over said platform.13. The machine defined by claim 11, which includes air cylinders andpistons operatively connected with the package depositing means, thecross ram, and the means causing movement of packages from each cylinderinto a master container, and means for automatically actuating each ofsaid elements in timed relationship.
 14. The machine defined by claim11, in which the package-receiving cylinders each comprise a lower shelland an upper cover longitudinally and hingedly connected,cover-actuating means to open and close the cylinder, and clamp means onthe cover for holding a master on the discharge end of the cylinder whenthe cover is closed.
 15. A machine for filling a master container with aplurality of packages, comprising a. an accumulator platform, b.package-depositing means adjacent the platform for moving packages ontothe platform, c. a cross ram movable across the top of the platform inopposite directions, d. a package-receiving cylinder located adjacent aside of the platform, e. means causing movement of packages from thecylinder into a master container, and f. mechanism automaticallyactuating the package-depositing means, ram and means causing movementof packages from the cylinder into a master container, whereby apredetermined number of packages is accumulated on the platform fromwhich an accumulated group is moved by the ram into the cylinder andmoved from the cylinder into a master container.
 16. The machine definedby claim 15, in which the cross ram is a vertically disposed plateextending longitudinally of the accumulator platform and has a loweredge slidable over the platform.
 17. The machine defined by claim 15,which includes air cylinders and pistons operatively connected wiTh thepackage-depositing means, the cross ram, and the means causing movementof packages from the cylinder into a master container, and means forautomatically actuating each of said elements in timed relationship. 18.The machine defined by claim 15, in which the package-receiving cylindercomprises a lower shell and an upper cover longitudinally and hingedlyconnected, cover-actuating means to open and close the cylinder, andclamp means on the cover for holding a master container on the dischargeend of the cylinder when the cover is closed.